Pendant having multiple gemstones on a rotatable wheel

ABSTRACT

A jewelry piece having a selectable display of gemstones and/or decorations is provided. The jewelry piece includes an integrated selectable display of gemstone. In one embodiment, the jewelry piece comprises a housing comprising a face plate and a back support, the face plate having a display opening; a carousel rotatably disposed between the face plate and the back support; a plurality of decorations disposed on the carousel; and a handle disposed through the housing and connected to rotate the carousel to selectively position at least one of the plurality of decorations in a viewable position through the display opening of the face plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention generally relates to jewelry having selectabledisplay. More particularly, the invention relates to a jewelry piecehaving a rotatable carousel for selectively displaying jewels and/orother decorations, such as engravings, inlay designs, photographs,enameled glass, and other decorative features.

[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0004] Typical jewelry designs involve fixed gemstones and/or preciousmetal decorations. For example, a typical pendent includes a gemstonefixedly set on a decorated housing made from one or more preciousmetals, such as platinum, gold, and/or silver, or from other materials,such as bronze, brass and other costume metals. When a particulargemstone color is desired, for example, to match the color scheme of theclothing of a person wearing the jewelry piece, a specific jewelry piecehaving the desired gemstone color is selected to be worn. When adifferent gemstone color is desired, another jewelry piece is selectedto be worn.

[0005] Some jewelry designs provide a base jewelry piece with aremovable or exchangeable gemstone setting which allow a person toselectively place the desired gemstone onto the base jewelry piece.Thus, a person may be able to switch gemstone colors while wearing thesame base jewelry piece. However, the removable/exchangeable gemstonesmay be easily misplaced or lost. Furthermore, a number ofremovable/exchangeable gemstones must be taken along with the basejewelry piece to provide the selection to the wearer whenever adifferent gemstone color is desired.

[0006] Therefore, there remains a need for a jewelry piece having aselectable display of gemstones and/or decorations. It would bedesirable for the selectable display of gemstone to be integrated withthe jewelry piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A jewelry piece having a selectable display of gemstones and/ordecorations is provided. The jewelry piece includes an integratedselectable display.

[0008] In one embodiment, the jewelry piece comprises a housingcomprising a face plate and a back support, the face plate having adisplay opening; a carousel rotatably disposed between the face plateand the back support; a plurality of decorations disposed on thecarousel; and a handle disposed through the housing and connected torotate the carousel to selectively position at least one of theplurality of decorations in a viewable position through the displayopening of the face plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] So that the manner in which the above recited features,advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can beunderstood in detail, a more particular description of the invention,briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodimentsthereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

[0010] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrateonly typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front view of a pendant according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front view of a pendant showing a carousel in phantomaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a pendant according to oneembodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a pendent showing a carouselaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carousel and a back supportshowing an index according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carousel in phantom and a backsupport showing an index according to another embodiment of theinvention.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a carousel and a back supportshowing an index according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 8A-C are front views of a carousel and a back support showingalternative embodiments of an index according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019]FIG. 1 is a front view of a pendant according to one embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a pendant showing a carousel inphantom according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view of a pendant taken along 3-3 of FIG. 2 according to oneembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the pendant 100generally comprises a face plate 102, a back support 104, and a carousel106. The carousel 106 is disposed between the face plate 102 and theback support 104. The faceplate 102 may be connected directly to theback support 104 at the peripheral portions. Alternatively, the faceplate 102 may be connected to the back support 104 through a sideportion or side wall 108 as shown in FIG. 3. The pendant 100 may alsoinclude a bail 110 disposed at the top portion of the pendant whichfacilitates hanging the pendant onto a chain or a strap. The carousel106 includes a front surface having a plurality of jewel/decoration 112disposed thereon. The jewel/decoration 112 may include a variety ofdesigns involving gemstones, precious metals, engravings, inlay designs,photographs, enameled glass, other decorative features, and combinationsthereof. For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the carousel 106includes four quadrants of jewel/decoration 112, and each quadrant ofjewel/decoration 112 includes four gemstone settings.

[0020] The carousel 106 is rotatably disposed between the face plate 102and the back support 104. A handle 114 is connected centrally to acentral portion of the carousel 106 through a handle post 116. Thehandle post 116 extends through a centrally located hole 118 on the faceplate 102. The handle 114 facilitates manual selection of thejewel/decoration 112 to be displayed through a display opening 120 onthe face plate 102. The handle 114 may be decorated, for example, with aprecious gemstone. The front surface of the face plate 102 may also bedecorated with various designs. The side wall 108 and the bail 110 mayalso be decorated with various designs.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, a support post 122 may be disposedcentrally on the back support 104, and a spring 124 may be disposedaround the support post 122. The carousel 106 includes a mounting tube126 disposed centrally. The mounting tube 126 includes a hollowedcentral portion for receiving the support post 122 and spring 124. Anindex 134 comprising an upper index member 128 and a lower index member130 is utilized to provide selectable positioning of the carousel 106and the jewel/decoration 112 to be displayed through the display opening122. The upper index member 128 may be disposed about the circumferenceof the hole 118 on the interior surface of the face plate 102, and thecorresponding lower index member 130 may be disposed around the handlepost 116 on the carousel 106. The upper index member 128 is disposed inmating engagement with the lower index member 130. For the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, corresponding saw tooth ends 132 from the upper andlower index members 128,130 form the mating engagement. For theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, four sets of corresponding saw tooth ends132 are disposed on the upper and lower index members 128 and 130. Inone embodiment, the number of sets of saw tooth ends 132 corresponds tothe number of selectable positions of the carousel 106 and thejewel/decoration 112.

[0022] The spring 124 provides the force required to keep the carousel106 and the lower index member 130 in contact against the upper indexmember 128. To rotate the carousel 106 and select a differentjewel/decoration 112 to be displayed through the display opening 120,the handle post 106 may be pressed toward the face plate 102 to releasethe mating engagement between the lower index member 130 and the upperindex member 128. Then, the decorated handle 114 may be rotated orturned to rotate the carousel 106. Once the desired jewel/decoration 112is being displayed in the display opening 120, the user may release thehandle 114, and the spring 124 forces the lower index member 130 againstthe upper index member 128 and retains the position of the carousel 106and the jewel/decoration 112 displayed through the display opening 120.Alternatively, a user may simply manually rotate the handle 114 withsufficient force to cause the lower index member 130 to slide againstthe upper index member 128. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,sufficient clearance or space (shown as distance d₁) is provided betweena lower surface of the handle 114 and the upper surface of the faceplate 102 to allow disengagement of the lower index member 130 from theupper index member 128. Similarly, a sufficient clearance or space(shown as distance d₂) is provided between a lower surface of themounting tube 126 and an interior surface of the back support 104. Also,a sufficient clearance or space (shown as distance d₃) is providedbetween an inner surface of the mounting tube 126 and the support post122, and the spring provided sufficient resilience to force the lowerindex member 130 against the upper index member 128.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a pendent showing a carouselaccording to another embodiment of the invention. The pendant 200includes a face plate 202 having a display opening (not shown) similarto the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. A carousel 206 is fixably attached toa back support 204. A mounting tube 226 connects a central portion ofthe carousel 206 to a central portion of the back support 204. Thecarousel includes a centrally located hole 218, and a mounting post 222that is disposed through the mounting hole 218 through the mounting tube226 and is secured to a back side of the front face plate 202, forexample, by a threaded end of the mounting post 222. The mounting post222 may comprise of a threaded bolt or other fasteners. A spring 224 maybe disposed in the mounting tube 226 against a flange 227 of themounting post 222. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an index232 comprising a lower index member 230 and an upper index 228 isutilized to selectively display jewel/decoration through the displayopening. The lower index member 230 comprises four bumps disposedperipherally on the carousel 206, and the upper index member 228comprises four indentations disposed correspondingly on an inner surfaceof the face plate 202. The upper index member 228 and the lower indexmember 230 are disposed in mating engagement. To rotate the carousel206, a user may rotate the back support 204 relative to the face plate202. A slight force may be required to pull apart the mating engagementbetween the lower index member 230 and the upper index member 228. Whenthe carousel 206 has been rotated to the desired position the user mayrelease the back support and allow the lower index member 130 to engageor to become disposed in mating engagement with the upper index member230.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carousel and a back supportshowing an index according to another embodiment of the invention. Inthis embodiment, the index 300 comprises an index arm 302 disposed on aback support 304 and a plurality of index notches 306 disposed on aperipherally portion of a carousel 308. The carousel 308 may be disposedbetween the back support and the face plate similarly to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-3. The index arm 302 is flexibly pivoted on the backsupport 304. When a sufficient force is applied to turn or rotate thecarousel 308, the tip 303 of the index arm 302 is disengaged from one ofthe index notch 306 and contacts a peripheral edge 310 of the carousel308 until another index notch 306 is rotated into mating engagement withthe tip 303 of the index arm 302.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carousel in phantom and a backsupport showing an index according to another embodiment of theinvention. For this embodiment, an index 400 comprises an index arm 402disposed on a back support 404 and an index wheel 405 disposed on alower surface of a carousel 408. The tip 403 of the index arm 402 isdisposed in mating engagement with one of the index notches 406. Thenotches 406 are disposed on a peripheral region of the index wheel 405.Operation of the index 400 is similar to operation of the index 300 asshown in FIG. 5. As the carousel 408 is rotated or turned by asufficient force applied to the handle attached to the carousel, the tip403 of the index arm 402 becomes disengaged from one of the notches 406and becomes in contact with the peripheral edge 410 of the index wheel405 until the carousel has been rotated to the next position, and thetip 403 of the index arm 402 becomes engaged with another notch 406 onthe index wheel 405.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a carousel and a back supportshowing an index according to another embodiment of the invention. Forthis embodiment, an index 500 comprises a spring loaded index arm 502disposed on the back support 504. The tip 503 of the index arm 502engages one of a plurality of indentations or notches 506 disposed on aback surface of the carousel 508. When a sufficient force is applied toturn the carousel 508, the index arm 502 disengages a notch 506 andbecomes in contact with the back surface of the carousel 508 until thecarousel 508 has been rotated sufficiently for the tip 503 of the indexarm 502 to engage another notch 506.

[0027]FIG. 8A-C are front views of a carousel and a back support showingadditional alternative embodiments of an index according to theinvention. For the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the carousel 608 isrotatably disposed between the back support 604 and a face plate (notshown). The carousel 608 includes a plurality of index notches 606disposed on a peripheral edge 612 of the carousel 608. An index 600A-Ccomprises an index bail 610A-C and the index notches 606.

[0028] For the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, a bail 610A is threaded andscrewed into position on a top portion of the pendent and a tip 611 A ofthe bail 610A is disposed in mating engagement with one of the notches606 on the carousel 608. To rotate the carousel, the bail 610A isunscrewed partially to free movement of the carousel 608. The carousel608 is then rotated to the next desired position, and the bail 610A maybe tightened against an index notch 606 to secure the carousel 608 inposition.

[0029] For the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, the bail 610B is springloaded with a spring 613 such that the bail can be pulled away torelease the carousel 608. After the carousel 608 has been rotated intothe next desired position, the tip 611 B of the bail 610B may bereleased to become in mating engagement with one of notches 606 on theperipheral edge 612 of the carousel 608 to secure the position of thecarousel 608.

[0030] For the embodiment shown in FIG. 8C, the bail 610C is connectedto an index arm 614. The index arm 614 may be pivotally mounted at acentral portion of the index arm to a peripheral portion of the backsupport 604. A spring 616 may be disposed between a tip 618 of the indexarm 614 and an edge or side portion of the housing. The spring 616provides a resilient force to the tip 618 to engage an index notch 606on the peripheral edge 612 of the carousel 608 to secure the position ofthe carousel 608. When a sufficient rotational force is applied to thehandle to turn the carousel 608, the tip 618 becomes disengaged with thenotch 606 and contact the peripheral edge 612 until the carousel 608 hasbeen turn to the next position, at which the tip 618 becomes in matingengagement with the next notch 606. Alternatively, the bail 610C may bepressed to release the tip 618 from the index notch 606, and thecarousel 608 may be rotated to the desired position.

[0031] Although the above-described embodiments relate to a pendenthaving a selectable display, other jewelry pieces contemplated by theinventor includes, but not limited to, rings, earrings, broach, pins,lockets, cuff-links, key chains and necklaces with integrated pendanthaving selectable display.

[0032] While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, other and further embodiments of the inventionmay be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and thescope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

1. A jewelry piece, comprising: a housing comprising a face plate and aback support, the face plate having a display opening; a carouselrotatably disposed between the face plate and the back support; aplurality of decorations disposed on the carousel; and a handle disposedthrough the housing and connected to rotate the carousel to selectivelyposition at least one of the plurality of decorations in a viewableposition through the display opening of the face plate.
 2. The jewelrypiece of claim 1 wherein the handle includes a decorative jewel.
 3. Thejewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the carousel comprises a carousel platehaving the plurality of decorations disposed on one surface of thecarousel plate.
 4. The jewelry piece of claim 1, further comprising: anupper index member disposed on the housing; and a lower index memberdisposed on the carousel, wherein the upper index member is disposed inselective mating engagement with the lower index member.
 5. The jewelrypiece of claim 4 wherein the upper index member and the lower indexmember comprise corresponding saw tooth ends.
 6. The jewelry piece ofclaim 4 wherein the upper index member and the lower index membercomprises corresponding bumps and indentations.
 7. The jewelry piece ofclaim 1 wherein the carousel includes a plurality of index notches, andfurther comprising: a bail disposed on a top portion of the housing, thebail having an index tip disposed in selective mating engagement withone of the index notches.
 8. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein thecarousel includes a plurality of index notches, and further comprising:a bail disposed on a top portion of the housing; and an index armpivotly disposed on the housing, the index arm having an index tipdisposed in selective mating engagement with one of the index notches.9. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the carousel includes aplurality of index notches, and further comprising: an index armdisposed on the housing, the index arm having an index tip disposed inselective mating engagement with one of the index notches.
 10. A jewelrypiece, comprising: a housing means having a display opening; a carouselmeans rotatably disposed in the housing means; a plurality of decorativemeans disposed on the carousel; and a handle means disposed through thehousing means and connected to rotate the carousel means to selectivelyposition at least one of the plurality of decorative means in a viewableposition through the display opening of the housing means.
 11. Thejewelry piece of claim 10 wherein the carousel means comprises acarousel plate having the plurality of decorative means disposed on onesurface of the carousel plate.
 12. The jewelry piece of claim 10,further comprising: an index means for selectively indexing the carouselmeans.
 13. The jewelry piece of claim 12 wherein the index meanscomprises: an upper index member disposed on the housing means; and alower index member disposed on the carousel means, wherein the upperindex member is disposed in selective mating engagement with the lowerindex member.
 14. The jewelry piece of claim 13 wherein the upper indexmember and the lower index member comprise corresponding saw tooth ends.15. The jewelry piece of claim 13 wherein the upper index member and thelower index member comprise corresponding bumps and indentations. 16.The jewelry piece of claim 12 wherein the indexing means comprises: aplurality of index notches disposed on the carousel means; and a baildisposed on a top portion of the housing means, the bail having an indextip disposed in selective mating engagement with one of the indexnotches.
 17. The jewelry piece of claim 12 wherein the indexing meanscomprises: a plurality of index notches disposed on the carousel means;a bail disposed on a top portion of the housing means; and an index armpivotly disposed on the housing means, the index arm having an index tipdisposed in selective mating engagement with one of the index notches.18. The jewelry piece of claim 12 wherein the indexing means comprises:a plurality of index notches disposed on the carousel means; and anindex arm disposed on the housing means, the index arm having an indextip disposed in selective mating engagement with one of the indexnotches. housing comprising a face plate and a back support, the faceplate having a display opening;
 19. The jewelry piece of claim 10wherein the housing means comprises a face plate and a back support, theface plate having the display opening.
 20. The jewelry piece of claim 10wherein the decorative means comprises one or more decorations selectedfrom gemstones, precious metals, engravings, inlay designs, photographs,enameled glass, and combinations thereof.